Central Texas – The death toll from the flash floods that struck central Texas on Friday has risen to over 100 people, with many others still missing.
Search and rescue teams are working through the muddy riverbanks, but the chances of finding survivors are growing slimmer as the flood’s aftermath continues to unfold. More rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit the region, making recovery efforts more challenging.
Tragic Losses at Camp Mystic
Among the most heartbreaking losses is the confirmation that at least 27 girls and staff members from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, were killed in the floods.
Ten girls and a camp counselor are still missing. The camp expressed its grief on Monday, saying, “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy.”
Richard Eastland, the co-owner and director of Camp Mystic, tragically died while trying to save the children. A local pastor, Del Way, described him as a hero, saying, “The whole community will miss him. He died a hero.”
The Impact on Kerr County
The hardest-hit area was Kerr County, where 84 victims—including 56 adults and 28 children—died. The Guadalupe River swelled with heavy rainfall early on Friday, the Fourth of July holiday. Authorities have yet to identify 22 adults and 10 children.
Concerns About the National Weather Service (NWS) Response
There has been some debate about whether budget cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) affected the disaster response. Some critics have pointed to the NWS’ parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where job cuts have been made.
However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected any blame on the administration. “It was an act of God,” she said during a briefing.
She emphasized that the NWS had sent early warnings and briefed local officials before the flood hit. The NWS office in Austin-San Antonio issued a flood watch on the afternoon of July 3 and sent out numerous flood warnings that evening and early the next morning.
Trump and Cruz Respond to the Flooding
President Trump, who is expected to visit Texas later this week, pushed back against claims that the government cuts affected the disaster response. He called the flooding a “100-year catastrophe” and stated that he wouldn’t blame President Biden for it.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz also spoke out, saying that now was not the time for “partisan finger-pointing” but for focusing on helping the victims.
Calls for Flood Sirens in Kerr County
In Kerr County, there have been calls for flood sirens to be set up to warn residents about such dangers in the future. Nicole Wilson, a local campaigner, started a petition urging for the installation of sirens.
The idea has been debated for years but hasn’t been fully funded yet. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick acknowledged on Monday that sirens might have saved lives and promised that they should be in place by next summer.
Global Condolences
Condolences have poured in from around the world, including a message from King Charles III. The British monarch expressed his “profound sadness” and offered his “deepest sympathy” to those who lost loved ones in the flooding disaster.